[elnonio]

I loaded some Hornady 75g HPBT on LC brass, CCI BR primers and BLC2.
20 rounds, in 0.5g increments, from 21 to 24 grains. I shot 10 through the 556, and next weekend I'll shoot the other 10 from the AR for comparison.

All rounds were shot from the prone at 100 yards with a loop sling and heavy shooting coat and on my shooting mat (NRA HP 600yds style, in other words)

The rifle is now set up with a Samson front, with the post filed down to 0.050" and the rear is an LMT (or is it LTM?)

BLUF, judging by the spread in sq in, the rifle seemed to like the 22g best. and yet, 21 and 21.5 wasn't even worth scanning. Of course, short of using a monolithic ransom rest, we'll never know how much of the dispersion was my doing, but this is a practical test using the type of equipment I would normally use. Didn't use a scope because that's just not "my bag".

22g:

22.5g:

23g:

23.5g:

24g:

 

[SkyPup]

I'd say that is really great shooting off irons at 100 yards! :wink:

I have been using the Hornady 75 grain BTHP, Prvi 75 grain BTHP and the Nosler 77 grain BTHP all in Lake City 5.56mm brass with CCI 400 primers and 25.0 grains of BLC-2 in both my 556s for hunting and target practice and they all perform excellent.

Here is ten shots @ 100 yard prone, no rest or bipod, using 4X power on a Burris XTR 1-4X scope.

These same rounds at 300 yards give about a five inch group too.

 

[elnonio]

Thanks, but I'm not even that good a shot, seems like I'm constantly hovering around 450/500 in high power...

I really think too many people miss out on the challenge and rewards of shooting with iron sights. And it really isn't all that hard to shoot iron sights well. A range coach will take a recruit (or 2ndLt) who has never touched a rifle before, and in 5 days that person will be more than proficient standing, kneeling, sitting and prone, out to 500 yards. It all comes down to knowing and applying the fundamentals.

 

[nycstripes]

Keep in mind that is not with a rifle that has a 16 in barrel. When you have a 20in service rifle and proper instruction, just about anything is possible.

 

[rainman74]

Iron sights and young eyes work very well together. I would love to buy a new set of eyes and get back to using irons, but optics are cheeper.

 

[elnonio]

Iron sights and young eyes work very well together. I would love to buy a new set of eyes and get back to using irons, but optics are cheeper.

Well, according to my mother in law, I'm middle aged. Makes sense, I no longer run with the young, nor fit with the older crowds!

(36y/o, btw, and I don't have 20/20 either!)

 

[nvbeav]

Iron sights and young eyes work very well together. I would love to buy a new set of eyes and get back to using irons, but optics are cheeper.

Well, according to my mother in law, I'm middle aged. Makes sense, I no longer run with the young, nor fit with the older crowds!

(36y/o, btw, and I don't have 20/20 either!)

When I was your age, I thought I was middle-aged too! Then middle age set in at about 49 and the seeing of things changed completely.

What happened to me is this: It's difficult to focus on the iron sights and, at the same time, focus on target. With my glasses, I can see things far away with no problem, but, starting at less than about 3 ft, it's a strain to focus through the same eye glass lens. With my computer glasses I could focus on the sights, but can't see the target!

Ok, maybe that's old age :^(

 

[nycstripes]

older eyes do suck.. :shock:

 

[SkyPup]

My astigmatism is pretty bad but now the ophthalmologist wants me to wear trifocals!! :shock:

What a drag it is getting old....

 

[elnonio]

What happened to me is this: It's difficult to focus on the iron sights and, at the same time, focus on target.

That's perfectly normal. Your focus should be on the front sight exclusively. The target being blurry is perfectly acceptable (and in fact necessary to shoot). Your mental eye, so to speak, will need to be able to know where the target is, yes, and the relationship between the front sight and the target, but I can definitely assure you that I could only see a very blurry black dot in the distance at 100. At 600 yards, I don't even see the black, but rather use a frame hold (and a blurry frame hold at that).

It's true that young eyes are able to change focus to and from the target and front sight so fast, it seems that both are in focus at the same time, but it's an illusion. One that older eyes can't (and shouldn't attempt to) match.

I also hear that some optometrists will work with shooters to develop glasses that allow for good focus at 20 odd inches, and also take into consideration head angle and such.